ADELAIDE TO MELBOURNE
The coastal highway between Adelaide and Melbourne passes through rich pastoral country,
national parks, and pretty seaside villages and ports with a character all their own. Major
towns along the route include Mount Gambier, with its famed 'Blue Lake', Portland, Victoria's
first settlement, the pretty seaside town of Port Fairy, Warrnambool where you can see whales
in the shallows, Colac, and Geelong, Victoria's second largest city.One of the most visited
attractions in the country will be found off the road between Warrnambool and Geelong. The Great
Ocean Road is renowned for its scenery and character. Wilkins Tourist Maps publish maps of the
Great Ocean Road which you can get locally.The following summary of the road includes general information and links to these towns and
attractions.MURRAY BRIDGE:
Murray Bridge was settled around a ford across the River Murray and is a busy commercial
centre servicing the area east of Adelaide. Besides river activities it has a Butterfly House,
a childrens Puzzle Park, and you can see crocodiles at Dundee'sTAILEM BEND:
Tailem Bend is a rail and road junction on the highways from Melbourne and Sydney. It takes
its name from the sweeping bend of the River Murray. The interesting pioneer village of Old
Tailem Town is 2km. west.MENINGIE:
Meningie is the first town along the highway from Tailem Bend and is located on Lake Albert,
making it a popular holiday destination for fishing and safe swimming. It is also the northern
gateway to the Coorong National Park.KINGSTON:
Situated on Lacepede Bay this small fishing town is renowned for its fresh lobsters and safe
beach. A giant lobster will be found at the northern entrance to the town. There are motels and a
caravan park.ROBE:
Robe is one of South Australia's best kept secrets and sits beside Guichen Bay with spectacular
coastal scenery and golden beaches. Fresh lobsters are available from the wharf in season and
the creeper-covered Caledonian Inn is a local landmark in the main street. Motels, caravan park.BEACHPORT:
Beachport is a pretty seaside village with a long jetty, coastal scenery, a golf course and
safe swimming beach. A drive west of the town gives panoramic views over the town and coast. Motels,
caravan park, B&B.MILLICENT:
Millicent is best known as the centre for a forest industry but has much to offer the visitor. The
Canunda National park is nearby and a short detour to Tantanoola to visit the 'Tantanoola Tiger' in
the pub is worthwhile. Limestone caves, motels, caravan park.MOUNT GAMBIER:
Capital of the south east and renowned for its Blue Lake and limestone caves, a visit to the
Lady Nelson Information Centre will give you plenty of ideas on things to see and do. Motels,
caravan parks, large commercial centre.NELSON:
This small fishing village on the alternative coastal route from Mt Gambier has cruises on the
Glenelg River to the Princess Margaret Rose Caves through the Lower Glenelg National Park. Between
Nelson and Portland you will pass through massive pine foreests with turn-offs to the Discovery
Bay Coastal Park with unlimited sandy white beaches and excellent surf. Motels, caravan park,
general store, hotel, cruises.PORTLAND:
The first town settled in Victoria it is rich in history and has a large commercial centre. Motels,
caravan park, nearby national parks and wineries.PORT FAIRY:
With Robe, the prettiest of the towns along the highway. The Moyne River provides a safe haven
for a colourful fishing fleet and is a photographers delight. Many historic buildings, motels,
caravan parks, swimming and fishing.WARRNAMBOOL:
A large commercial centre with beaches, whale watching between May and September, plenty of
things to see and do, and the crossroads between the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians National
Park. Motels, caravan parks, maritime museum, childrens fun park.GREAT OCEAN ROAD:
One of Australia's best known natural attractions the turn-off is just east of Warrnambool and
rejoins the highway at Geelong. See feature pages on this beautiful part of Australia.CAMPERDOWN:
Camperdown is in what was once called Lakes and Craters Country. A reflection of the volcanic
nature of the area and the many lakes which provide excellent fishing and water activities. Motels,
caravan park, commercial centre.COLAC:
The largest town between Geelong and Warrnambool it is a commercial centre with plenty of
accommodation and nice shady parks. Noted distance runner, Cliff Young lived near Colac and
ran on a course in the park in the main street.GEELONG:
Victoria's second largest city and the centre for a vast agricultural and touring region which
includes the Great Ocean Road, Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula. Lots of motels, caravan parks
and full commercial services.WERRIBEE:
On the freeway between Geelong and Melbourne and noted for its Mansion and free-range wildlife park.
Motels, caravan park, large commercial centre.MELBOURNE:
Victoria's capital and venue for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. See feature elsewhere.